Rod-insert spin flanging head



March 31, 1970 A. HANSSON 3,503,239

ROD-INSERT SPIN FLANGING HEAD Filed June 2'7, 1966 INVENTOR ANTS HANSSON United States Patent 3,503,239 ROD-INSERT SPIN FLANGING HEAD Ants Hansson, Evanston, 11]., assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed June 27, 1966, Ser. No. 560,676 Int. Cl. Blld 3/02 US. Cl. 72119 13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for spin flanging peripheral edges of substantially tubular metallic bodies by alternate flexing of the peripheral edges of the tubular bodies. More particularly, this invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for spin flanging the edges of high strength brittle metallic can bodies by subjecting incremental portions of tubular can body edges to rapidly reversing tension and compression forces through the insertion of a spin flanging head into the interior of the can bodies. The flanging head of this invention is distinguished by a sequential contacting of the can body peripheral edges at spaced points about the can body edge periphery by a plurality of series of flanging elements, each series of elements being oriented with respect to the flanging head to reshape the can body ends to have a contour defined by incremental annular flanged portions.

Present can making technology utilizes a flanged edge at least at one end of a can body which is rolled with the outermost peripheral portion of an associated can end to form a seam. Present techniques for flanging the can ends are characterized by the use of a die having a widening contour in a direction of insertion of the die into a can, which upon forcing the die into the can, deflects the metal at a peripheral edge of the can body to have a smooth contour, the outermost portion of each flanged surface of each can body being substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the can body. This flanging method, called die flanging or dynamic flanging, produces a circumferential flange of approximately 0.1" width or more.

Die flanging or dynamic flanging has been found to be undesirable because it subjects the entire periphery or edge of an end of the can body to tension forces, which often results in the release of the tension by resultant inward cracks in the circumferential flanges of the can bodies during the flanging operation. Although this tendency of cracked flange formation due to tension forces when flanging edges of can bodies has been found to be lessened when the can bodies are constructed of relatively ductile materials as opposed to relatively brittle materials, in many instances brittle materials of fully hardened steel plate and aluminum alloys of hard tempers are desirable for various packaging reasons, and thus present die flanging techniques have proved inadequate. Additionally, although relatively brittle materials present difficulty when being flanged by ordinary die flanging or dynamic flanging methods, these brittle materials are very attractive in the can making industry from the viewpoint of strength and cost of material.

3,503,239 Patented Mar. 31, 1970 Thus, a new method of flanging brittle, less ductile, hardened, tempered materials has been developed and is the subject matter of the present application.

Still further, it has been found that in developing a new technique of flanging can ends by use of a flanging head, it is most desirable to have flanging elements which directly contact the peripheral edges of the ends of the can bodies, and which are strong, readily manufactured, long-lasting from the standpoint of Wear, adjustable, removable and readily replaceable. Thus, a novel flanging head was developed and is the specific novel subject matter of the present application.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel apparatus for flanging a peripheral edge at an end of a substantially tubular metallic body constructed from relatively brittle material by subjecting incremental portions of the edge of the metallic body to rapidly reversing tension and compression forces, causing substantial elongation or stretching of the brittle material Without producing cracks in the resultant can body flange.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spin flanging head for circumferential rotation about an end edge of a substantially tubular brittle metallic body, the spin flanging head having means for sequentially subjecting portions of the ends of the metallic body to rapidly reversing tension and compression forces together with forming a plurality of annular flanged portions as the flanging head is brought into continually increasing contact with an end of a can body, resulting in a circumferential flanged edge on the tubular body.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel flanging head, adapted for longitudinal movement into an open end of a substantially tubular body, and for rotation thereabout, the flanging head having a plurality of series of flanging elements fixed within the flanging head and having free portions on the flanging elements adapted to contact peripheral edges of substantially tubular metallic bodies at spaced portions around the periphery thereof, each series of elements being, particularly adapted to define a respective annular flanged portion about an open can end, and each sequential series of elements being further adapted to outwardly flare an annular portion of the tubular body an amount greater than the degree of flare effected by the prior longitudinal and rotational movement of an adjacent series of flanging elements.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel flanging head of the above-described character wherein each sequential series of flanging elements is positioned with its longitudinal axis at a different angular position with respect to a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body, and wherein each of the flanging elements comprises hard rod members and is adjustable, removable and replaceable with respect to a major portion of the flanging head.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel method for flanging a tubular body which includes sequentially flanging a tubular body edge portion into an outwardly flared configuration continuously following a prior outwardly flaring operation on the same tubular body end portion.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a highly schematic top perspective view of a flanging head and tubular body in accordance with this invention, and illustrates a movable support for retaining the tubular body, and means for providing rotation and longitudinal movement of the flanging head, the

3 flanging head being shown disposed operatively above the tubular body to be flanged.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged bottom view of the flanging head of this invention taken along the line 2-2 of FIG- URE 1, and illustrates the disposition of a plurality of series of flanging elements about the flanging head, each series of flanging elements presenting a different angularly disposed flanging surface in communication with a flanging groove on the lower surface of the flanging head.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View of the flanging head of this invention taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2, and illustrates one of a first series of flanging elements in operative engagement with an inner surface portion of a tubular body member.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the flanging head of this invention taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE -2, and illustrates one of another series of flanging elements of the flanging head of this invention in operative engagement with an inner surface portion of a tubular body member, the relative positions of the flanging head and the tubular body member being shown at a subsequent flange-forming position to the relative positions of the flanging head and the tubular body members as shown in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the flanging head of this invention taken along the line 5--5 of FIGURE 2 and illustrates one of yet another series of flanging elements of the flanging head of this invention in engagement with an inner surface of a tubular body member, the relative positions of the flanging head and the tubular body member being shown at a subsequent and final flange-forming position to the relative positions of the flanging head and tubular body memher as shown in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a completely flanged tubular body member according to this invention, and illustrates an incrementally contoured tubular member comprising a plurality of annular flanged surfaces.

FIGURE 7 is a bottom perspective view of a flanging element of this invention having a flange-contacting surface thereon adapted to form a smooth continuous flange contour in a can end.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, reference is first made to FIGURE 1 wherein there is shown a conventional split support 8 for retaining a tubular member therein, adapted for movement in the direction of the double headed arrow at the bottom of FIGURE 1, a tubular body 9 positioned in the support 8 and a flanging head 10 positioned above the tubular body 9. The flanging head 10 is adapted to be rotated by rotating means 12, and is subject to longitudinal movement toward and away from the tubular body 9 in the direction of the double headed arrow adjacent a longitudinal motion linkage 11.

The flanging head 10 has a centrally disposed upwardly extending shaft 13 engaged by the longitudinal moving means 11 and the rotatable moving means 12 for longitudinal and rotational movement therewith.

The flanging head 10 includes .a base member 14 having a downwardly extending central portion 28 and an annular flange 16 extending radially outwardly therefrom, having upper and lower surfaces 17, 18, respectively. The lower surface 18 has an annular groove 20 therein, the radially interior surface of the groove merging with a conically tapered surface 21 of the central portion 28 and a radial outermost limit of the groove 20 being defined by a depending annular lip 22 of the annular flange 1-6.

A radial innermost series of equally spaced blind bores 24 extends radially inwardly and longitudinally downwardly from an upper surface '17 of the base member 14 at least partially through the groove 20. The imaginary axis of each bore 24 intersects the longitudinal central axis of the flanging head 10 at a slight angle approximately 10 degrees as shown in FIGURE 3.

A rod insert 25 or flanging element is shown positioned within each of the blind bores 24, confined therein by means of a set screw 26 in engagement with an associated screw thread 29 below the upper surface 17 of the base member 14. Each rod insert 25 presents a flanging surface 27 through the annular groove 20 adapted to engage an inner surface 15 of the tubular body 9.

A second series of equally spaced blind bores 30 is shown disposed slightly radially outwardly of the bores 24, also in communication with the groove 20, and has a central axis which intersects the central axis of the flanging head 10 at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. A rod insert 31 is disposed in each of the bores 30, and is confined therein by a set screw 32 in engagement with threads 35 in the upper portion of each bore 30 adjacent the surface 17. A flanging surface 33 of each rod insert 31 traverses the annular groove 20 of the base member 14 of the flanging head 10 (as shown in FIGURE 4) and presents a flanging surface 33 for engagement with an inner annular surface 34 of the tubular body 9.

A third series of lined bores 36 is shown spaced equally about the periphery of the base member 14, spaced inwardly from the circumferential surface 19 thereof, and having central axes intersecting the longitudinal axis of the flanging head 10 at an angle of approximately degrees (as shown in FIGURE 5). A rod insert 37 is shown positioned in each of the bores 36, and is confined therein by means of a set screw 38 engaged with threads 40 in the outer portion of each bore 36 adjacent the surface 19. Each rod insert 37 extends through the annular groove 20 and presents a flanging surface 39 for engagement with an annular surface 41 of the tubular body 9.

In operation, the spin flanging head 10 is inserted into a tubular body 9, until each of the first series of inserts 25 engages an uppermost interior portion of the tubular body and flares the uppermost portion outwardly to form the annular surface 15.

The flanging head 10 then moves continuously longitudinally inwardly of the tubular body 9 until each of a second series of flanging elements or rod inserts 31 engages an upper edge of the surface 15 of the tubular body; that already flared as shown in FIGURE 3, and further flares at least a portion of the surface 15 of the tubular body in the manner shown in FIGURE 4, to yield the inner annular surface 34, while the innermost series of flanging elements or rod inserts flares the inner tubular body portion immediately adjacent and below the surface 34 to form an annular surface 45.

As the rotating flanging head 10 further continuously enters the tubular body 9, each of the flanging elements or rod inserts 37 engages the uppermost annular edge surface 34 of the tubular body '9 and flares the same further outwardly to form an annular flanging surface 41, in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the tubular body 9 (as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6).

Concurrently with the formation of the annular flange portion 41 by the flanging elements 37, each of the second series of flanging elements 31 engages the surface of the tubular body immediately adjacent and below the surface 41, to form an annular flanged surface 42, while each of the first series of flanging elements 25 engages the inner surface immediately below and adjacent the annular surface 42 to form the slightly flared flanged annular surface 43. Thus, as each of a series of flanging elements engages the tubular body 9 while the flanging head 10 is inserted further into the tubular body 9, another surface of the tubular body is reshaped to be more greatly flared than that particular surface was under the influence of the immediately prior series of flanging elements.

FIGURE 6 shows an upper portion of a tubular body 9, having three distinct annular surfaces 43, 42 and 41, increasingly tapered outwardly resulting in a flange 'of broken or polygonized contour. However, often "the broken contour is not readily noticeable since the in dividual broken sections tend to overlap, thereby producing a continuous smooth curvature which can be readily double seamed.

While the axes of each of the bores in each series of bores have been shown as intersecting the longitudinal central axis of the fianging heads 10, such is not required, in that each of the bores may be offset somewhat so that its central axis does not intersect the longitudinal axis of the hanging head, thereby offsetting each rod insert or fianging element somewhat from a strict radial position with respect to the central axis of the fianging head. However, if the bores do not intersect the central axis of the fianging head, their axes may be determined from the position of a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the flange tool, such as the plane described by the upper surface 17 of the base member 14 of the fianging head 10.

In the rotation of the fianging head 10, within a tubular body 9, the fianging elements or rod inserts are in contacting engagement at spaced points about the periphery of the upper surface of the tubular body. Thus, at any instant of tool rotation within the tubular body, these spaced points or nodes are points of tension, having chordal points of compression therebetween about the periphery of the tubular body, the rotation of the flanging head within the tubular body resulting in a rapid application and removal of the tension forces which contact the fianging elements, thus causing a rapid reversal of tension and compression forces in the initial stage of the formation of the flange.

The rod inserts 25, 31 and 37 operate on the frozen roller or integral head spin flanger principle and are characterized by their low cost, simplicity and long life. No bearings or other weak components are required, and due to the simple shape of the inserts, they are easily made from sintered carbide by the powder-metallurgy technique. Alternatively, carbide faced steel rods, nitrided rods or other types of rods may be used. Should an insert become worn, an adjustment is provided by means of the set screws 26, 32 and 38 which may be loosened and the insert may then be rotated a few degrees to expose a fresh fianging surface to the tubular body 9. The number of rod inserts used will depend upon the diameter of the tubular body, and the material to be flanged. A typical rod diameter is between M inch and 4 inch, although A inch has been found to be preferable.

The flanger head base member 14 may be made of steel, but its particular design is so constructed that the finish of the steel is not critical, in that the can body never contacts the fianging head base member in its operation. Also, it has been found that any number of series of fianging elements 25, 31 and 37 may be used, but that they should be equidistantly circumferentially spaced, and alternate between fianging elements of each series.

In FIGURE 7 there is illustrated an alternative cylindrical fianging element 45 of this invention, a central peripheral portion being longitudinally grooved or contoured at 46, as by turning the element 45 on a lathe. The element 45 may be constructed from rod stock or the like. Elements 45 maybe used in one or more series, as desired, to facilitate smoothly contouring a can end flange.

The fianging elements may be square, six-sided, circular, oval, angular or the like, as desired, in cross-section, and may be arranged in either a single 0r plurality of series, within the scope of this invention. However, it has been found that a plurality of series of straightsided elements are desirable, in that the corresponding distinct annular surfaces formed may be selected and diminsioned to provide between adjacent surfaces points of folding during an end seaming operation.

Although only a preferred embodiment of the fianging head hereindescribed has been disclosed, it is to be understood that minor modifications can be made in the fianging head and in its application within the spirit and scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A fianging head comprising a body including an outer surface comprising an upper surface and a side peripheral surface; a bottom surface defined by a central produding portion and an annular groove portion; an upstanding shaft centrally disposed on said body upper surface and having a central axis for rotation thereabout; a plurality of series of bores extending from said outer surface inwardly of said body; each bore in a series having a longitudinal axis at a common angle with a plane transverse to said central axis; each bore in a series of bores communicating with said annular groove portion and defining means for receiving a flange-forming insert therein; said inserts being positioned in associated bores in each series of bores and presenting similar exposed operating surfaces corresponding respective portions of which are positioned at radially corresponding fixed distances from said central axis; said operating surfaces of said inserts in each series being defined by respective acute angles between said bores and said plane and describing corresponding flanging surfaces upon rotation of said head.

2. The flanging head of claim 1 wherein there are three series of bores; each of said series being at a different angular relationship with said central axis between the range of 0 degrees and degrees.

3. The fianging head of claim 1 wherein said exposed operating surfaces define means for sequentially fianging an article to have a segmentally contoured flange extending longitudinally of the interior surface of the article.

4. The fianging head of claim 2 wherein said inserts are secured within said bores against removal and rotation by set screws threaded into said bores.

5. The fianging head of claim 3 wherein said inserts are constructed of cylindrical carbide rods.

6. A flange head for fianging an article, said fianging head comprising a body having a central axis, a plurality of fianging elements spaced about and carried by said body and nonrotatably fixed outwardly from said central axis, said elements having axes defining angles with a plane transverse to said central axis, said elements having outer surfaces which define during rotation of said head a plurality of surfaces of rotation differently angled with respect to said central axis for corresponding to and defining respective flanged surfaces on said article.

7. The fianging head as defined in claim 6 wherein said outer surfaces are smoothly contoured.

8. The fianging head as defined in claim 6 wherein said fianging elements are removable, adjustable and replaceable with respect to said body.

9. The fianging head as defined in claim 6 wherein said elements are cylindrical rods.

10. The fianging head as defined in claim 6 wherein said fianging elements comprise a plurality of rod members inserted in said body, and at least some of said flanging elements include a circumferential outwardly opening groove.

11. The fianging head as defined in claim 6 wherein said elements are of noncircular cross-section.

12. A method of fianging a tubular article comprising the steps of providing a rotating tool, bringing a first series of elements into contact with said article and slightly annularly fianging a first article portion, bringing said first and second series of elements into contact with said article and more widely annularly flanging at least a part of said article portion while slightly annularly fianging a second article portion, bringing the first and second and a third series of elements into contact respectively with a third article portion, at least a part of said second article portion, and at least a part of said first article portion in annular fianging relation with each of said portions.

13. The fianging method as defined in claim 12 wherein the tubular article is unsupported radially outwardly of the flanged portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Guenther 113-101 Lawlor 72-119 Mason 113-120 Harrison 113-120 Henrickson -1 113-120 Jacobsen 72-126 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner ANDREW LEE HAVIS, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

